THE GMB trade union has reiterated its stance of refusing to enter talks at Rhondda Cynon Taff in response to the issuance of a Section 188 ‘Lock Out Notice’ to 10,000 workers.
To resolve this ‘lock out’ threat GMB seek the good offices of ACAS to mediate to find a way forward for the union to be able enter into meaningful negotiation without duress.
The GMB issued a further statement on the threatened lock out of GMB members by Rhondda Cynon Taff council, their employer in South Wales, if they refuse to accept new lower terms and conditions of employment.
Gareth Morgan, GMB Regional officer said: ‘GMB officers were summoned to a meeting on 27th October and told by Tony Wilkins, HR director, that the council has issued a section 188 notice for all 10,000 staff employed by the council giving notice of their dismissal and an offer of re-engagement on lower terms and conditions of employment.
‘Following that meeting, GMB suspended consultation with Rhondda Cynon Taff to allow an opportunity to write to the Council Leader to express concern at the premature advance to the statutory consultation arrangements by issuing the Section 188 Notice before engaging in the negotiations process.
‘A decision would then be taken on whether to reconvene at the next scheduled meeting on the 5th November, dependent on the response.
‘GMB has written to the leader on two occasions since then to be met with the same response as issued to the press and to members of the Council in a statement which is that these measures are necessary to protect 700 jobs within RCT CBC.
‘GMB cannot fathom how 80% of employees will stay the same or go up in pay thereby leaving 20% of the workforce to lose enough income to keep 700 jobs.
‘This indicates quite clearly that the consultation is merely a tick box exercise to comply with the requirements to consult as stated in Section 188 of the Trade Unions Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
‘GMB are fully appreciative of the council’s dire financial predicament as a result of the pernicious Tory Liberal Government’s comprehensive spending review.
‘However, circumventing the normal negotiating process and the issue of a section 188 is not good practice and can’t be condoned particularly in a Labour controlled Authority.
‘GMB is disappointed and disillusioned that this notice has not been revoked or even suspended to allow meaningful negotiation to ensue.
‘We have consulted with many of our members to explain our stance to date, we still have many more to meet but the overall consensus from our members is to back our stance in not engaging in dialogue whilst this threat of termination and re engagement (of the vast majority) – in effect a “lock out” – is hanging over the heads of our members.
‘Following a meeting with the joint Trade Unions, the GMB have reluctantly decided to continue our boycott of talks, with the support of Unite Trade Union whilst we take further guidance.
‘In an attempt to resolve this impasse we have decided to seek the good offices of ACAS to ask them to mediate in an attempt to find a way forward for us to be able to enter into meaningful negotiation without duress.’
